![\"2016425E15B1FA8-0AAC-4857-9360-6D0665821493_w640_r1_s_cx0_cy43_cw0.jpg](\"http:\/\/mzzg.org\/UploadCenter\/ArticlePics\/2016\/16\/2016425E15B1FA8-0AAC-4857-9360-6D0665821493_w640_r1_s_cx0_cy43_cw0.jpg\")
Chinese Uighur activist Dolkun Isa, seen in this July, 6, 2015 photo, is chairman of the World Uighur Conference, which advocates human rights and democracy. India has revoked a tourist visa extended to him, apparently due to pressure from China.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> April 25, 2016 10:02 AM<\/span><\/p> <\/p> NEW DELHI<\/span>—India has revoked a tourist visa extended to a German-based, exiled Chinese dissident leader to attend a conference to be held later this week at the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile in northern India.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> Officials in New Delhi did not give a reason for withdrawing the visa given to Uighur activist, Dolkun Isa, but it is believed to be due to pressure from Beijing.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> Isa, branded as a terrorist by Beijing, is chairman of the World Uighur Conference, which advocates human rights and democracy. Uighurs are an ethnic minority community from China’s western Xinjiang region and have a long history of discord with Beijing.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> Responding last week to the visa issued Isa, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Hua Chunying, said, “Dolkun is a terrorist in red notice of the Interpol and Chinese police. Bringing him to justice is due obligation of relevant countries.”<\/span><\/p> <\/p> ‘Tit for tat’ <\/span><\/p> <\/p> New Delhi<\/span>’s permission to the Uighur leader to travel to India had been described by the Indian media as “tit-for-tat” diplomacy.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> India<\/span> has been upset with Beijing for blocking its bid at the U.N. to name the chief of Pakistan-based militant group Masood Azhar of Jaish-e Mohammad, as a terrorist and sees it as an example of China siding with Pakistan. The visa to Isa was also seen as a signal that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is prepared to take a more assertive stand with China. <\/span><\/p> <\/p> India<\/span>‘s move to revoke the visa has come under criticism, with Sanjay Jha, a spokesman for for India’s main opposition Congress party, calling it a “Himalayan blunder.”<\/span><\/p> <\/p> Disappointed <\/span><\/p> <\/p> In a statement, Isa, who lives in Germany, said he was disappointed by the Indian government’s withdrawal of the visa, which he said was done on April 23.<\/span><\/p> <\/p> “<\/span>I recognize and understand the difficult position that the Indian government found itself,” the statement added, “and regret that my trip has generated such unwarranted controversy.”<\/span><\/p> <\/p>